Introduction

Blood cancer is a generalized term for malignancy which attacks the

blood, bone marrow, or lymphatic system. There are three kinds of
blood cancer: leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.

Leukemia is malignancy of cells in the blood. Lymphoma refers to

malignant tumors of the lymph system. Myeloma is malignancy of
plasma cells. Plasma cells are the cells in bone marrow that produce
antibodies. Collectively they are called Hematological
malignancies.

Some of the specific leukemia blood cancer symptoms are

anemia, recurrent infections, bone and joint pain, abdominal distress
and difficult in breathing or dyspnea.

In case of lymphomas blood cancer the symptoms depend on

location of cancer, where it has spread, and the size of the tumor. It
begins with swelling in the neck, underarm, or groin.

The first sign of multiple myeloma is bone pain due to bony

destruction by plasma cells. Some of the prominent symptoms include
bleeding gums, nose bleeds and easy bruising. Unexplained bone
fractures, kidney failure, persistent infections and weight loss are
other signs of the disease.

Causes

A weakened immune system - this may be a result of drugs that

suppress the immune system (such as those used for organ
transplants), high doses of radiation (such as in radiotherapy for
another cancer), or diseases that affect the immune system (such as
HIV).

Contact with a chemical called benzene, one of the chemicals in

petrol and a solvent used in the rubber and plastics industry.

Genetic disorders like Fanconi anemia, Schwachman-Diamond

syndrome and Down syndrome.
Cancer that attacks white blood cells produced by bone marrow (bone
marrow). Bone marrow or bone marrow in the human body produces
three types of blood cells including white blood cell (functioning as an
endurance fight infection), red blood cell (function to bring oxygen
into the body) and platelets (small part of blood cells that help blood
clotting process ). Leukemia is generally appears in person since the
days his small, bone marrow without clear cause has been producing
white blood cells do not develop normal or abnormal. Normally, white
blood cells to repeated reproduction when the body needs it or no
room for the blood cell itself. The human body will give signs / signals
when will regularly blood cell-reproduction is expected to be back.

In cases of leukemia (blood cancer), white blood cells do not respond

to the sign / signal is given. Finally, uncontrolled excessive production
(abnormal) will exit from the bone marrow and can be found in the
peripheral blood or peripheral blood. The number of abnormal white
blood cells of this excessive amount can disrupt the normal function
of other cells, Someone with this condition (leukemia) will show some
symptoms such as susceptible to infectious diseases, anemia and
bleeding.
Some of the common blood cancer symptoms:

• Weakness, Fatigue, Malaise and Breathlessness

• Minimal body strain results inbone fractures
• Excessive or easy bruising
• Bleeding gums or frequent nose bleeds
• Recurrent infections or fever
• Excessive sweating of body during night
• Weight loss
• Frequent vomiting sensations
• Anorexia
• Lymph node (gland) enlargement
• Lumps or abdominal distension due to enlarged abdominal
organs
• Abdominal pain, Bone pain and Back pain
• Delirium and confusion
• Abnormal bleeding in gums nose and cuts, which will result in
platelet reduction
• Headaches with occurrence of visual difficulties
• Occurrence of fine rashes on dark spots
• Decreased urination and difficulty while urinating

People can get leukemia at any age. In 2010, about 43,050 adults
and 3,317 children are expected to develop leukemia. It is most
common in people over age 60. The most common types in adults are
AML (Myelogenous leukemia) and CLL (chronic lymphocytic
leukemia).ALL (Acute lymphoblastic leukemia) is the most common
form of leukemia in children.

For most types of leukemia, the risk factors and possible causes are
not known. Most people who have any of the specific risk factors that
have been identified do not get leukemia - and most people with
leukemia do not have these risk factors.

Some risk factors for AML are:

• Certain chemotherapies used for lymphoma or other types of

cancer
• Down syndrome and some other genetic diseases
• Chronic exposure to benzene (such as in the workplace) that
exceeds federally approved safety limits
• Radiation therapy used to treat other types of cancer
 • Tobacco smoke.

Exposure to high doses of radiation therapy is also a risk factor for

ALL and CML. Other possible risk factors for the four types of
leukemia are continually under study.

Leukemia is not contagious (catching).

Incidences of Blood Cancer Types Each Year:

S.N Blood Cancer Percentage Per One Lac of

o. Type Population

1. Leukemia 12.2

2. Myeloma 5.6

3. Lymphoma 2.8

Latest Statistical Facts about Blood Cancer in United States:

• Symptoms of blood cancer are confirmed using the Diagnostic

test – Biopsy.
• After every 4 minutes, an individual from America is diagnosed
with blood cancer by such tests.
• Every 10 minutes, this disease takes the life of an individual.
• It means 146 people die every day because of this disease.
• Approximately 1,39,860 people are going to be diagnosed with
all the three types of blood cancer in the year 2009.
• These people constitute 9.5% of the total number of new cancer
cases ( 1,479, 350 ) diagnosed in the whole country.
• 53,240 people out of the 1,39,860 diagnosed, are estimated to
lose their lives this year owing to this dreadful disease.
• The total cancer deaths estimated in the year 2009 are
5,62,340.
• Blood cancer deaths will comprise 9.5% of these deaths.
• Leukemia is the most common type of blood cancer in children
affecting the age group of 0-19 years.
• It comprises 31% of cancers affecting the children in United
States.
 • 2,655 children within the mentioned age group, are estimated
to be diagnosed with this disease in 2009.
• The symptoms of blood cancer remain latent and dangerously
make the disease apparent in its last stages.

Does Cancer cause Blood Clots ?

Research studies conducted at the University of L’Aquila, Italy
suggest that children suffering from Leukemia are at high risks of
facing Thrombosis while they are provided the cancer treatment.
Thrombosis is the technical name given to clotting of blood in the
deep veins of the body. In the research, 1,752 children suffering from
this dreadful disease were considered. In 5.2% of these children, the
study found the complication of blood clotting. The researchers
however were successful in finding out the therapies and medical
procedures for addressing the risk of blood clotting.

Treatment

Your doctor may prescribe medications, sometimes called "growth

factors," that encourage your body to produce more blood cells.
Medications are also used to prevent low blood cell counts in people
who have a high probability of experiencing complications of cancer
treatment. Medications have benefits and risks, so talk to your doctor
about the possible side effects of drugs used to boost blood cell
counts.

Most people feel confused and overwhelmed when they are told they
have leukaemia. It's a very distressing time both for them and their
families. An important part of cancer treatment is learning how to talk
about how you are feeling, and getting support with the physical and
emotional symptoms you are experiencing.

For more advanced cancer, you can receive extra support, known as
palliative care. Doctors and nurses based in hospitals, hospices and
pain clinics specialize in providing the support you need, and can also
visit you at home.

Many everyday activities put you at risk of cuts and scrapes. A low
platelet count makes even minor abrasions serious. A low white blood
cell count can turn a small cut into a starting point for a serious
infection. Use an electric shaver rather than a razor to avoid nicks.
Ask someone else to cut up food in the kitchen. Be gentle when
brushing your teeth and blowing your nose.
Biological therapy uses special immune system cells and proteins to
stimulate the body's immune system to kill cancer cells. Biological
agents such as interferons, interleukins, monoclonal antibodies,
tumor necrosis factors and colony-stimulating factors are natural
substances found in the body that help alter the way the immune
system reacts to cancer. Researchers are now able to create
reproductions of some of these biological agents in laboratories,
imitating the natural immune agents. These agents are used to
augment the anti-tumor immune response of the patient.

CONLUSIONS

Get Support

 After diagnosis, many people with leukemia do survive and live

many good, quality years. Knowing more about the disease and
its treatment may make it easier to cope.
 It may be helpful to write down questions to ask your doctor.
Then you can write down your doctor's answers and review
them later.
 You may want to bring a family member or friend with you to
the doctor. This person can listen, take notes and offer support.
Some patients record information and listen to it at home.